Was Trump's offer out of line?

October 29, 2012|Bruce Siwy | Daily American Debate

No

Millionaires spend their money on all kinds of things. Some of their choices make sense — others don't.

What Donald Trump hopes to accomplish with the president's college transcripts and passport information isn't clear. He has only accused Barack Obama of being the "least transparent president in the history of our country," saying that voters deserve to know more about the man they may re-elect for another four years.

There was nothing illegal or unethical about Trump's offer. It was clearly made with an agenda in mind, but who doesn't have an agenda these days?

Super PACs, the "independent-expenditure only committees" that fuel the annual array of attack ads across our airwaves each year, are the traditional channels of influence. Trump has found an unusual and mildly entertaining way to capture our attention — if even momentarily.

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He could have taken the conventional route and dumped an additional $5 million into Mitt Romney's campaign. Instead he's offered $5 million to a charity of the president's choice in exchange for seemingly harmless information.

Trump apparently believes Obama has something to hide. True or not, his outstanding offer could create windfall revenue to a civic-minded organization. The key is that this attention-grabbing move may ultimately benefit those in need.

Call it what you will — wacky, obnoxious and the like — but the offer at least includes a potential silver lining.